Zuni Sunface Squash Blossom Necklace with Serpentine [SOLD]

A stellar and extremely creative adaptation of the beloved squash blossom necklace, this Zuni Sunface necklace couldn’t be more unique. This necklace features a large portion of serpentine, which is rare but not unheard of in Zuni inlay jewelry.  With small Sunfaces for squash blossoms, and a Sunface version of the naja, the artist designed and executed an exquisite and striking piece.  

This necklace is first strung from a single string of silver beads.  This single strand becomes two just above the Sunfaces to provide an ease of ergonomics when wearing the piece—the Sunfaces effortlessly lie flat strung in this way.  

Each Sunface is uniform and reminds one of the natural fractals that ornament our planet.  Pearl, red coral, bright blue turquoise and jet are arranged in a face-like fashion of geometric shapes.  The sun rays are serpentine— special and earthy; they are part of what makes this necklace like none other. Five rays reach upward, and two down.  Each sun ray is tipped with jet and exudes balance and strength. 

The naja will catch any eye in the room, especially when paired with the intricate Sunfaces above.  Its elements are very much what makes this necklace different from everything in its category.  The naja itself is made of serpentine and jet sun rays and is lined on the inner portion with silver balls.  An original Sunface tops the naja’s arc with seven rays that reach upward.  The centerpiece of the naja is a duplicate Sunface to those strung above, tying in and finishing the piece with flourish and ease.

What is a Naja?  Early Navajo-made jewelry contained elements that were borrowed directly from Spanish colonial and Mexican ornament. One of these items is the naja, a crescent form of Moorish origin. The Spanish conquerors in the Southwest outfitted their horses in elaborate silver ornaments—one of which was the naja that hung directly on the forehead of the horse as a part of the bridle.  Today, it is still seen in both Pueblo and Navajo modern jewelry.

Condition: This Zuni Sunface necklace is in pristine condition. 

Provenance: This Zuni Sunface Squash Blossom Necklace with Serpentine is from an estate in eastern Washington State. The consignor stated to us that this was his mother’s favorite necklace.

Recommended Reading: The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Zuni Pueblo, Navajo Nation